The Google Pixel 10a arrives with 3 notable upgrades over the Pixel 9a

After teasing the Pixel 10a a few weeks in the past, Google has now formally unveiled every part there’s to learn about its newest mid-range telephone.

For starters, should you’re trying on the Pixel 10a within the picture above and struggling to inform it other than the Pixel 9a, you are not alone. On the floor, the 2 look practically similar, and the Pixel 10a intently mirrors the Pixel 9a in total design and {hardware}. That stated, there are a couple of key variations between the Pixel 10a and 9a which might be price mentioning.

Earlier than we dive into these modifications, here is the fundamentals: the Pixel 10a begins at $499 USD ($679 CAD) and is available for pre-order now, forward of its March 5 launch. Notably, it retains the identical $499 beginning value as its predecessor and is available in 4 colours: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian.

The Pixel 10a is offered in each 128GB and 256GB storage sizes, and is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a 5,100mAh battery, the very same internals because the Pixel 9a.

Now, that brings us again to what’s really totally different, and there are three fundamental areas the place the Pixel 10a stands other than final 12 months’s Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 10a’s show is brighter and extra sturdy

The bezels look the identical

Credit score: Google

The Pixel 10a contains a 6.3-inch Actua pOLED show with a 120Hz adaptive refresh fee — the identical because the Pixel 9a. The place issues begin to differ, although, is brightness and sturdiness.

The Pixel 10a can hit as much as 2,000 nits of HDR brightness, with a peak brightness of three,000 nits. That is 11 % brighter than the Pixel 9a, which topped out at 1,800 nits in HDR and a pair of,700 nits of peak brightness. It isn’t a major leap, but it surely ought to make the Pixel 10a simpler to see in vivid circumstances.

Then there’s sturdiness. The Pixel 10a’s display screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which presents improved scratch and drop resistance over the Pixel 9a’s older Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

A flush digital camera bar

The Pixel 10a will not wobble on a desk

Credit score: Google

The Pixel 10a retains the identical twin rear digital camera setup because the Pixel 9a: a 48-megapixel large lens paired with a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Whereas the {hardware} is unchanged, the design tells a special story.

When the Pixel 9a was unveiled final 12 months, the important thing visible change was the removing of the digital camera bar utilized by the Pixel 8a and, notably, by Google’s flagship Pixel telephones. As a substitute was a smaller digital camera cutout with a bump on the again.

This 12 months, that cutout stays on the Pixel 10a, however now it is utterly flush with the again of the telephone, that means there isn’t any bump in any respect. Which means if you set the Pixel 10a down on a desk, it lies completely flat with none wobble. Admittedly, it would not considerably change day-to-day use, however I respect the cleaner look, and it feels extra cohesive with the general minimalistic design of the telephone.

Moreover, there is a software program distinction on the digital camera facet: the Pixel 10a helps Auto Finest Take and Digital camera Coach — two photograph options the Pixel 9a would not have.

Quicker wired charging

Nonetheless no Qi2 wi-fi charging help although

Credit score: Google

The ultimate key distinction between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a is charging, particularly quicker wired speeds on the Pixel 10a.

The Pixel 10a helps as much as 30W wired charging when paired with a 45W wall adapter, whereas the Pixel 9a tops out at 23W below the identical circumstances.

Once more, that is not an enormous leap, however Google says the Pixel 10a can cost to 50 % in about half-hour, which is roughly in step with the Pixel 9a. So, whereas the wired charging numbers technically differ, the real-world impression will not be that noticeable.

In complete, Google says the Pixel 10a’s battery can final greater than 30 hours and as much as 120 hours with Excessive Battery Saver mode enabled.

The Pixel 10a could also be well worth the improve

If in case you have an older Pixel telephone, the Pixel 10a presents plenty of worth

Credit score: Google

General, the Pixel 10a is extraordinarily just like the Pixel 9a, and whereas there are a couple of variations between the show, digital camera design, and the charging velocity, it might’ve been good to see Google improve the telephone extra this 12 months, akin to outfitting it with the identical Tensor G5 chipset because the Pixel 10.

For my part, when you have a Pixel 9a, there isn’t any cause in any respect to improve to the Pixel 10a. However should you’re utilizing an older Pixel A-series telephone, such because the 6a, 7a, or 8a, the Pixel 10a presents robust worth, and it is good that, regardless of the continued memory and storage shortage, Google has saved the worth at $499.

The Pixel 10a is offered for pre-order now and launches on March 5. Keep tuned as I am going to have a assessment of the telephone on Pocket-lint within the coming weeks.